Mauritius confers its highest honour on PM Narendra Modi

TDT | agencies

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday was bestowed with the topmost honour of Mauritius, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. Mr. Modi is the first Indian to receive the honour, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. It is the 21st international honour bestowed upon Mr. Modi by a foreign country.

Mr. Modi reached Mauritius early on Tuesday and he called on the President of Mauritius Dharambeer Gokhool at the State House. As a special gesture Mr. Modi handed over Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards to President Gokhool and First Lady Vrinda Gokhool. President Gokhool hosted a state lunch for the Indian PM.

Mr. Modi also paid homage at the samadhis of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and Sir Anerood Jugnauth at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, where he was accompanied by the Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam. “On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi recalled the enduring legacies of the two leaders in the progress of Mauritius and building a robust foundation for India Mauritius ties,” the MEA said in a press note.

Mr. Modi addressed a meeting of the Indian community in Mauritius and recalled the historic and cultural links that exist between India and Mauritius. Speaking on the occasion, the PM thanked Mauritius for conferring its highest honour on him. “It is a recognition and honour of the historic ties between India and Mauritius. It’s an honour to those Indians who for generations have served Mauritius,” Mr. Modi said, speaking in Hindi.

Mr. Modi is on a two- day state visit to Mauritius, where he will be the chief guest at the national day celebrations of Mauritius on Wednesday. "Had a great meeting with His Excellency Mr. Dharambeer Gokhool, President of Mauritius. He is well acquainted with India and Indian culture. Expressed gratitude for inviting me to be a part of the National Day celebrations of Mauritius. We discussed how to further boost bilateral ties across diverse sectors," Mr. Modi said in a post on social media platform X.

Mr. Modi said it wa s a n honour for him to attend the National Day celebrations of Mauritius as chief guest for the second time.

He gifted holy Sangam water from Maha Kumbh in a brass and copper pot, and makhana (the superfood from Bihar) to Mr. Gokhool. The PM presented a Banarasi silk saree from Varanasi in an intricately inlaid Sadeli box from Gujarat to Mrs. Gokhool.

After the talks, President Gokhool hosted a state lunch in honour of Prime Minister Modi. Mr. Modi also visited the Ayurveda Garden in the State House, established in collaboration with the Government of India. The PM said Mauritius is an important partner for India in advancing the benefits of traditional medicine, including Ayurveda.

"It is commendable that an Ayurvedic Garden has been built in the State House in Mauritius. I am also happy that Ayurveda is gaining popularity in Mauritius. President Dharambeer Gokhool and I went to the Ayurvedic Garden, giving me the opportunity to see it firsthand," Mr. Modi posted on X.

Earlier, Mr. Modi received a warm welcome at the airport upon his arrival in the country after nearly a decade. Mr. Modi had last visited Mauritius in 2015.